7 Reasons To Move To NYC After You Graduate

So you’re about to graduate from college. The moment you never thought would arrive is finally here. What’s next? You’ve always dreamt you would just move to New York City and get your dream job and everything would fall into place… but now that the time has come… you’re having doubts. Well don’t. I’m not saying that you are going to get your dream job and I’m not saying that everything is going to fall into place. But I am saying you should move to New York City.

Why?

1. Because you want to, but also because you are afraid to.

No one ever said chasing your dreams was going to be easy.  If you don’t do things in life simply because you are afraid of them… well then you’re going to miss out on a lot of great things in life. Nothing exciting is going to happen to you as long as you stay in your comfort zone. If you can’t take a chance right now, when you are young, unattached and with minimal responsibilities… then when do you think you’re going to? Probably never would be my guess.

2. Finding a job is hard everywhere. But I think it’s easier here.

You may be thinking you can’t get a job in New York because finding a job everywhere is already so difficult in this economy… but it’s quite the opposite. There are SO many more job opportunities in New York City than there are in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Especially if you want to go into a specialized field. Sports? Fashion? Food? Social Media? I can guarantee you none of those big offices are located in a small town in Ohio. But I can guarantee you that they are located in New York.

3. New York has a different mindset.

Where I come from, everyone is getting married & popping out babies by their mid-twenties. If you are in a relationship for more than a year, people start wondering when you are going to get engaged. It’s just the thing to do. Not saying it’s wrong… just saying it’s not for everyone. If you are more interested in finding yourself than finding someone else, New York is a good place to look. No one’s going to be wondering when you’re getting married or having a baby. People are going to wonder more about what your job is or where you went to brunch last weekend.

4. It’s not a jail sentence.

What’s the harm in trying? It’s not like by moving here you are stuck in some prison for 5 years and can’t get out. If you can get a job and find somewhere to live…. Then why the heck wouldn’t you? Hate your job? Hate New York? Ok cool. Quit your job. Quit New York. Move home. No harm, no foul. No one is going to stop you. But at least you tried. If you don’t try you’re always going to wonder.

5. Brunch.

Okay… not just brunch. Happy hour can be included too. And dinner. And the nightlife… If you like eating or drinking or partaking in social outings at all… then New York has got you covered. From unlimited mimosas at brunch to rooftop bars with the most amazing city views you have ever seen. It may be a little bit more expensive (sometimes) but it is also a lot more awesome. While the Mexican food may be lacking just a little bit here (but then again I don’t think it can ever compare to that of Texas or Oklahoma) everything else most certainly is not.

6. If you can make it here you can make it anywhere. 

Cliché? Yeah probably so, but it’s also so true. If you can successfully move to the biggest city in the country, land a job, make friends and make your life work… How in the world could you not do that anywhere else? Moving away and doing something like this is going to be such a life changing, growth inspiring experience. It will teach you a lot about yourself and present you with opportunities and relationships you won’t be able to attain anywhere else. Not to mention that whatever you do here will be a badass resume builder (unless you are waiting tables or in a band or something… then maybe not.)

7. You’re going to fall in love… with New York.

At first you may hate it. Trust me I know. It’s funny how awfully lonely you can feel when surrounded by so many people. But give it some time. You will make friends and you will start having fun. It’s going to be really tough at first but eventually things will fall into place and you will wonder how you ever thought about not coming at all or leaving so soon.

New York City really is a magical place. The abundance of opportunities and experiences to be had is truly astounding. Yeah this place may not be for everyone and it may not be forever, but if you are even thinking it may for you… even if just a little… then do it. And stick to it. You won’t regret it.

*I know I didn’t dive into how it can be difficult to find a job or a place to live, but I am leaving that out under the assumption that if you want something bad enough you will try hard enough to figure it out and make things work. If I can do it so can you.